Seasons of Faith
After a few days of coolness and rain, the warm weather has returned. At, least, it feels warm to me. Perhaps for some of you it's not warm enough.
What's your favourite season of the year? Are you a hot weather or cool weather kind of person? Spring blooms or changing leaves? Snow clad mountains or sun drenched meadows?
Personally, early autumn is my favourite time of year, but I know there is beauty in every season.
The seasonality of life is something with which the author of Ecclesiastes was well-familiar, and he reminds us to embrace the changing seasons.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
However, it's not just life that has seasons. So does faith. For example, if you have followed Jesus for any length of time, perhaps you are familiar with...
The Spring of Spiritual Growth: the season of joy when we discover a relationship with God (or a new aspect of relationship with God) and watch it bloom.
The Summer of Abundance: the season of blessings and abundance when our life seems to overflow with God's goodness.
The Autumn of Transition: the season of change, uncertainty, and challenges in faith where we may struggle with questions or doubts, or simply sense a shifting in our soul.
The Stillness of Winter: the quiet season of faith, when God may seem distant or silent.
It is inevitable that we will experience all these seasons numerous times throughout our spiritual journey. As the author of Ecclesiastes says, there is a time for every season.
Every season of faith is important, and every season has its beauty. In life we may be an autumn season person, but we all know the importance of the other seasons. Similarly, we may be a hot weather person, but hopefully we can perceive the beauty of a quiet winter night.
The question for us today is not what season of faith is better than others, but how can we embrace each season as it comes to us. Certain practices in certain seasons help us do that.
Just as we wouldn't practice skiing in the summer season, we likely wouldn't practice the spiritual discipline of lament or mourning during the summer season of our faith.
During the Spring of Spiritual growth, it's important to find practices that nurture our growth and water our soul.
During the Summer of Abundance, we want to find practices that help us remain steadfast and grateful.
During the Autumn of Transition, we need practices that anchor our soul in Christ and ground us in God's promises.
During the Winter of Stillness, it's important to find practices that deepen our trust and perseverance.
PAUSE and REFLECT: read the descriptions of the seasons again and discern what season of faith you're living through today. With the help of the Holy Spirit, reflect on the following three questions:
Why is it important for you to go through this season at this time in your life?
What is beautiful about this season?
How is God inviting you to embrace this season today?
There is a time for everything in our life. It is good that the seasons of faith change. Each one brings something important into our life and walk with God.
Remember, no matter what season you're experiencing, God is present with you. That's probably easier to accept in spring and summer, but it is equally true in autumn and winter. Spiritual practices will help you stay centred in his love. If you're having trouble figuring out where you're at, the spiritual practice of a Rule of Life will help you discern your season and the practices you need.
God bless you this present day with an awareness and acceptance of your season of faith. May you embrace its beauty and find your soul at home in the hands of your loving Creator.